Chris Thyer confirms his resignation as U.S. attorney; Patrick Harris to serve in interim

Chris Thyer has distributed a news release making official what I reported earlier today — that he had resigned effective last Friday as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

His news release recounts the achievements by his office since his appointment by Barack Obama in 2010. They included a notable number of prosecutions of public officials, including former state Treasurer Martha Shoffner, former Circuit Judge Mike Maggio, former state Rep. Hudson Hallum and former UCA President Lu Hardin.

It also said Patrick Harris, 64, first assistant U.S. attorney the last four years, would serve as interim leader of the office until a permanent choice is made by the Trump administration.

Thyer's announcement made no reference to some recent controversy over the abruptness of notice given Obama-era attorneys to retire. His statement said:

"Our laws and our law enforcement agencies are meant to do two things: to allow citizens of the United States to fully realize the pursuit of peace and prosperity, and to arrest and prosecute those who criminally interfere with those freedoms. I have seen communities where drugs and violence have stolen even the freedom to go for a walk or play in a park because of the brazenness of violent drug dealers. For more than six years I have had the privilege of working with local, state and federal law enforcement officers and prosecutors to fight these violent drug dealers. This has been a highlight of my professional life for which I am thankful."